Picking a number for WhatsApp Business API

The following rules apply: 

• You must own this number and be able to access it during the time your channel is active.
• The number must include a country code and an area code.
• If it is a voice-only capable number, or a landline, it must be able to receive international calls.
• The number needs should not have any active whatsapp account. which means it mustn't have been registered with another WhatsApp user.

These types of numbers are accepted:

• Landline numbers that accept international calls
• Mobile numbers
• Virtual Mobile Numbers (VMN); Need to be a voice-capable device to receive the activation token by call. 

These types of numbers are not accepted: 

• Shortcodes
• Numbers with an IVR (automated call menu) attached to it, unless this can be disabled to receive the activation token.
• Toll-free numbers
• Voice capable numbers unable to receive international calls
• Voice capable numbers that require extra zeros or digits apart from the international number format. A phone number in full international format includes a plus sign (+) followed by the country code, city code, and local phone number.

Can I change the phone number anytime for my WhatsApp Business API?

No. Once a number is registered on WhatsApp Business API, that number can’t be changed. You’ll have to apply for a new WhatsApp Business API if you need to change the number.

Can I register the WhatsApp Business API number on the WhatsApp Apps?

No, the number which is active on WhatsApp Business API can not be registered on WhatsApp Apps. Also, if a number is already registered on WhatsApp Apps and you want to get the API on the same number, then the WhatsApp account must be deleted from that number. Keep in Mind that any incoming messages during this time will be queued by the WhatsApp servers and delivered once the registration is successful.

Can the API number be used for normal functionalities?

Yes, the number can be used for making normal calls, sending and receiving SMS etc. It’s only that WhatsApp Apps can not be registered on this number.

Can I use multiple WhatsApp Business API clients on a single phone number? 

_{No, a single number can get access to a single WhatsApp Business API client only. The company can procure multiple WhatsApp Business API clients in the name of different departments within the company such as Finance, Procurement, Sales, Customer Support etc. on different phone numbers.}

Can 1-800 and toll-free numbers be used for WhatsApp Business API?

These types of numbers are usually behind an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, which a WhatsApp registration call cannot navigate. Instead, WhatsApp is able to share with you 1 to 2 phone numbers that the registration phone call will come from. You can use this information to create an allowed list for those numbers so that you can redirect the registration call to an employee or mailbox where the registration code will be captured.

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